As Christians, one of the things that we are called to do is to live a holy life. To be holy means to be set apart. It means that we are not like the world, and that we do not live like the world does. There are many benefits to living holy lives, and in this post I am going to go over some of these benefits and what the bible says about living a holy life.
This post is all about the benefits to living holy lives as Christian women.
There are many scriptures that encourage us as followers of Christ to live holy lives.
1 Peter 1:15-16 – But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.”
Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Romans 12:1 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
1. Growing Closer To God
Living a holy life can help us grow closer to God. As we draw near to Him, He also draws near to us (James 4:8)
When we live a life of holiness, and we walk in the understanding that we are called and chosen to be set apart from the world, it helps to bring us closer to Him because He becomes our focus. Instead of looking to the left and the right and chasing the things of the world, we keep our eyes on Him. He becomes the center of our lives. Our hearts become fixated on Him and His ways, and we grow more and more firm in our identity in who we are as His chosen ones.
2. This One’s For All My Single Ladies – Who You Attract
Living holy lives as Christian women can affect who attract to ourselves. Personally, I am married. But for the single ladies out there, the way you live will have a big impact on what kind of guys are drawn to you. If you’re going out clubbing and wearing dresses that barely cover your body parts – can you guess what kinds of guys that is going to attract. The kind that are probably not going to be edifying to you in your walk with the Lord.
The call to live holy lives is also for our own benefit when it comes to reasons like this one.
3. Peace And Joy
We can walk in peace and joy when we live a lifestyle of holiness. As we read above, living holy is a request of God for us in His word. When we do so, we are being obedient.
Another one of the benefits to living holy is that there is a peace that comes from obedience. And there is a peace that comes from knowing that you are becoming more like Him.
Becoming more like Him means more patience, forgiveness, love and kindness – and avoiding bitterness and resentment. There is so much peace and joy to come from this lifestyle!
There is something truly fulfilling about knowing that you are reflecting who He is to the world around you. What an amazing privilege that we get to glorify Him in that way.
4. Shining His Light
Living holy as Christian women is one of the ways that we be different than the world. It’s how the world can notice that we march to the beat of a different drum. When people notice that you live holy, it makes them curious.
Why don’t you watch movies with nudity or sex scenes? Why don’t you swear? And, why don’t you ever sneak little things from work?
If we live like the world does, how will they notice God in us? If we are joining in with everything they do, how they ever think there is anything different about us that they can be inspired by?
5. Healthier Relationships
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
When we live a holy life, it involves walking in love, kindness, patience, compassion and forgiveness. These traits change the narrative when it comes to relationships and how we treat others and respond to situations.
Let’s look at another scripture that describes how walking in holiness can affect our relationships: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger – Proverbs 15:1
This proverb describes when we respond in our relationships with a “soft” answer, versus a harsh one. We can respond to conflicting situations with peace and grace, rather than offence and anger. Imagine how different so many of our relationships could be if we walked in holiness?!
6. Living In Freedom
Another benefit of living holy lives is that we can walk in freedom from shame and condemnation.
Romans 8:1-2 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When we are struggling in an area of temptation and we slip up – do we let that separate us from God with feelings of shame? Do we let it make us feel like maybe we aren’t really saved?! Or do we press in to Him even more when we slip up and make a mistake? Do we run to Him with open arms and a repentant heart, knowing that He doesn’t think any less of us?!
The Christian life is not about perfection, but about striving everyday to be like Him.
7. Blessing
We can experience a life of blessing when we live holy because we are submitting to Him. When we live holy, we can grow deeper in our walk with Him and experience Him on new levels. We are blessed because when we live holy, we can walk in freedom from shame and guilt. Holy living is accompanied by His power, His presence and the anointing.
How Do I Live Holy?
How do we live holy? We live holy lives by following God, loving others, avoiding temptation and following His commands.
As we grow closer to Him and abide in Him, He changes our hearts. We will find ourselves longing to bring Him glory as we go to greater depths with Him. We will want to be more like Him as He changes the desires of our hearts. And, as we grow closer to Him, we can notice ourselves losing the desires we had to be like the world and do the things that the world glorifies due to these changes He makes in us.
We can learn how to live holy by reading and studying His word, and fellowshipping with Him. Prioritizing our prayer life is a big one – imagine trying to become like someone you didn’t even know personally?!
Living a holy life is truly one of the most beautiful things we can do for Him.
If you can think of more benefits to living holy lives as Christian women, feel free to share them in the comments below.